What are the different types of VPK's for Grandstream phones?

Grandstream GXP 21XX series IP phones allow users to configure Virtual Multi-Purpose Keys in the Web User-Interface, which can be accessed by typing your phone's IP address into your browser.

The first hardline keys are described as ‘Fixed VPKs’. You can tell which are fixed as they are the first page of keys on the phone. These include the ability to add the ‘default’ VPK mode, or the ‘shared’ mode. Any other VPKs that are added by the user are ‘Dynamic’.

For the majority of these keys, you will need to choose the account to which the keys refer to (likely account 1, if you only have one user registered on the phone!), and input the relevant extension in the ‘Value’ field.

Mode definitions

Default:

This will automatically show your Account, if in the first line. If there is only one account being used, other VPKs set to ‘default’ will be blank, and present as another line when on a call.

Shared:

Only used when used with PSTN, (e.g. Hardware PBXs, such as UCMs etc) - selects which line you can pick up from.

Speed Dial:

Does what it says on the tin! Can be used with extensions, or external numbers!

This is can be set to call out using an extension from any account registered with the phone, by nominating the Account number in the ‘edit VPK screen’.

Busy Lamp Field (BLF):

These can only be used with extensions. This lights up different colours depending on if they are on a call, being called etc. Also works as a speed dial key. Very helpful and highly recommended!

Presence Watcher:

Allows the user to monitor the status of the extension. Sadly, this is not supported by Yay.com.

Eventlist BLF:

Allows the user to monitor a list of extensions, similar to BLF. This is not supported by Yay.com.

Speed Dial via Active Account:

Allows one-touch dial to extensions or external numbers, however this automatically dials out from the active account on the phone.

Dial DTMF:

Allows the caller to send digits while on the phone, for example dialling specific numbers while calling an IVR. You enter the digits to be dialled in the ‘Value’ field.

Voicemail:

Allows you to put your voicemail extension (set in your Dashboard) in the Value field, to one-touch dial to hear your messages!

Call Return:

Allows user to dial last answered call.

Transfer:

Input an extension into the ‘Value’ field to enable an automatic blind transfer when the button is pressed.

Call Park:

Allows the user to park/pick up a call, and can be used to monitor parking slots.

Monitored Call Park:

Using your shortcodes configured in your dashboard (usually *11,*12 etc), you can ‘park’ a call in the slot, which any user can pick up by dialling the same code. You can also monitor the status of the parking slot, similar to BLF.

Intercom:

When pressed this button sends an invite to the extension to auto-answer the call.

LDAP search:

This option is to narrow the LDAP search scope. This isn’t necessary for standard use.

Conference:

Allows the user to trigger a conference by pressing the assigned button. We recommend using our ‘Conference Bridge’ feature instead!

Multicast paging:

This key is used for multicast sending, which allows people to send pages to groups of phones directly.

The Recipient will set this up Settings> Multicast Paging - Set the Codec to G.722, and then the ‘Listening Address’ can be any value between 224.000.000.000 and 239.255.255.255.

The Host (who calls the recipients), adds a VPK with the ‘Multicast Paging’ mode, and enters the Listening Address as the Value.

This VPK allows the user to record their calls onto the phone itself, however is not supported by Yay - we much prefer to use our own Call Recording feature!

Call log:

This is simply a shortcut to call history.

Menu:

This is simply a shortcut to the phone menu.

XML application:

This will start the XML feature from the MPK button.

Information:

This feature will display information such as firmware version, MAC address, IP address and IP settings.

Message:

Allows the user to view instant messages that can be sent via the Web GUI. They will also be able to choose between viewing instant messages and voicemails. Yay.com does not, however, support instant messaging :(

Forward:

During the call, the user can press this button to forward the call onto another number, configured in the ‘value’ field.

DND:

This button will enable and disable incoming calls, however on most models this can be done by pressing the ‘mute’ key while not on a call!